Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the manufacture of collagen membranes for medical applications, in which process the collagen raw materials obtained from cattle or pig collagen are mechanically freed of fatty residues and treated with diluted alkali and acids and, if need be, enzymes. It is thoroughly washed between these steps to thus clean the collagen raw material eliminating the accompanying contamination. It is then processed further while obtaining a collagen matrix with a dry weight of approximately 25% by weight. Thus obtained are collagen membranes, in which the original integral cohesion remains and with which a fast hemostatic effect is achieved; said membranes are also extremely flexible and they adhere well to the surface of a wound.

Abstract: A method is provided for the manufacture of collagen fibers for surgical purposes, in which Achilles tendons or hides from cottle are decomposed in an alkaline medium and are mechanically treated after treatment with an acid, deswelled, crosslinked and dried, wherein that Achilles tendons are decomposed in an alkaline medium to an amino-nitrogen content of from 0.15 to 0.30 .mu.moles/g and after a hydrochloric acid treatment and washing to a pH value of from 2 to 4, the swollen collagen substance is reduced in thickness under pressure forming a two-dimensional network, then the individual longitudinal fibers are exposed by hackling, and then, after deswelling, the fibers are cross-linked with hexamethylene diisocyanate in the presence of a nonionic or cationic emulsifier and are dehydrated and further processed on textile machines.